Abetters

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. One who assists or supports another in wrongdoing or criminal activity
2. A person who encourages or contributes to the commission of an offense
3. An individual who aids someone in achieving an illegal or unethical objective

Etymology: "Abetters" is simply the plural of "abetter," one who abets, which in turn comes from the verb "abet" with the agent suffix "-er" attached. The verb "abet" came into Middle English from Old French "abeter," meaning to bait or incite, built on "beter," to bait or bark at, and it is from this lineage that the noun inherited its sense of encouraging someone else's wrongdoing.

Synonyms: encouragers, instigators